PSC/AHG/2(CCL) Annex 4 Page 6 well as by other bilateral and multilateral partners. 16. Yet, Africa cannot continue to endlessly and overwhelmingly rely on external support for the promotion of peace and security on the continent, as this situation undermines the effectiveness of AU’s efforts, due to the lack of predictability and flexibility inherent to voluntarily contributions, and the true ownership of our initiatives. It is worth recalling here that, in the Tripoli Declaration, the Heads of State and Government, while stressing the need to continue to strengthen AU’s relations with its major partners, also reiterated “…our determination to ensure that these partnerships are fully based on Africa’s leadership, because without such leadership, there will be no ownership and sustainability; because we understand the problems far better than those who come from far away; because we know which solutions will work, and how we can get there; and because, fundamentally, these problems are ours, and we will live with their consequences”. Clearly, more is required from Member States. I will, in due course, submit to the Assembly a comprehensive report on how best to mobilize increased resources from within the continent to support our peace efforts. (h) Year of Peace and Security 17. In the Tripoli Declaration, the Heads of State and Government declared the Year 2010, to be the Year of Peace and Security (YoPS) in Africa. In Kampala, in July 2010, I submitted a progress report on the implementation of this initiative. Suffice to mention here that the YoPS provided a unique opportunity in terms of outreach, building of partnerships with a variety of stakeholders, and encouraging Member States to organize specific events in commemoration of the YoPS and to rededicate themselves to the objective of a conflict-free Africa. In addition, efforts were made towards the consolidation of the AU’s normative and institutional framework for addressing the challenges of peace, as well as for the resolution of existing conflicts and the consolidation of peace where it has been achieved. 18. 21st September, the International Day of Peace, marked the culmination of the YoPS, making it possible to further mobilize Member States and African organizations, but also ordinary women and men, civil society and private sector. It was a unique opportunity to bring the call for peace out of the chambers of the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council, and give voice to the most vulnerable, those who bear the brunt of violence and are often left scarred physically and emotionally, with the hope that, in turn, their cry for peace will echo back to those august Councils, and demand that the highest decision-makers make peace and security a reality, not only a slogan. The Commission is working on a follow-up and sustainability programme, which will be submitted to the Assembly of the Union, next January. III. TRIPOLI PLAN OF ACTION 19. In the Tripoli Plan of Action, the Heads of State and Government have identified practical steps for resolving the various crises facing the continent and consolidating peace where it has been achieved. The following paragraphs provide an overview of the